Official MLBlog of the Kansas City Royals front office.

Royals release Jacobs, Bale; add pitcher in Rule 5 Draft

The Royals announced a pair of roster moves before today’s Rule 5 draft. Kansas City released first baseman/designated hitter Mike Jacobs and left-handed pitcher John Bale. Jacobs hit .228 with 19 home runs and 61 RBI in 2009, his lone season with Kansas City. Bale went 0-1 with a 5.72 ERA in 43 relief appearances. He had been with the club since the 2007 season.

Kansas City then selected left-handed pitcher Edgar Osuna from the Gwinett (Triple-A) roster of the Atlanta Braves in the Major League Phase of the Rule 5 Draft. Osuna, 22, was named by Baseball America as having the “Best Changeup” in the Braves farm system following the 2008 season. The Mazatlan, Mexico native is currently pitching in the Mexican Winter League after splitting his season between Myrtle Beach and Mississippi in the Atlanta system.

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